For such little humans, babies create a lot of mess. Between milk, sweat, pee, tears, and diaper explosions, your baby’s bassinet can become nasty, so you have to learn how to clean a bassinet.
Luckily, figuring out how to clean a bassinet is a lot easier than you might think. Here is what you need to know.
How Often Should I Clean My Bassinet?
If you notice any dirtiness or buildup on the bassinet, then it’s safe to say that it’s time to give it a deep cleaning. However, that doesn’t mean you should wait until you see dirt to clean it.
In general, you should wash your baby’s sheets one to two times per week. The body of the bassinet does need to be cleaned less often. Typically, the bodily fluids don’t come in contact with the frame. Those go onto the sheets.
Wiping down the bassinet can be done once a month or less often. Do so if your baby has recently overcome illness, or if your baby projectile vomits.
How to Clean a Bassinet
Disassemble the Bassinet
The first step is to take the bassinet apart. You cannot clean it if it’s still together, and for most bassinets, that requires removing the bedding from the stand and basket.
Can I wash a bassinet mattress?
Depending on your particular bassinet, you might need to take off the mattress cover and wipe down the mattress by hand. Others have a mattress that can be tossed into the washing machine. The same goes for other accessories, such as the canopy.
Always read the instructions before moving forward.
Get the Right Supplies
First, you need the right supplies to clean the bassinet. You’ll need a few things, such as:
A baby-safe laundry detergent
Clean cloths, dusters, or a sponge
Spray bottle
A gentle disinfectant such as vinegar.
Wash the Linens
This is the obvious step. Take off those linens and toss them into the washing machine. You should do this regularly anyway.
You should also wash the liens that are permanently attached to the bassinet, especially if those fabrics touch your baby. The best way to do this is either with spot treatment pens or by spraying warm water onto a cloth and using detergent on the material to clean the fabric.
Wipe Down the Frame
The next step is to wipe down and disinfect the frame. Typically, you don’t want to use something meant for wood on a metal bassinet or vice versa, so be careful what you pick. I use white vinegar because I know it’s safe on most materials, and it’s safe around my babies.
Spray the disinfectant on a clean cloth and wipe the frame down. Then, use another material to dry the structure.
Reassemble
The last step is the most obvious – put everything back on the bassinet the way that it should be. I highly suggest keeping your manual because putting things back on is always harder than taking things apart.
Final Thoughts
While it’s a simple task, not everyone knows how to clean a bassinet. It’s a task that parents need to do at least once a month and wash the linens once or twice a week. Your baby will be much happier on a clean bassinet.
Hey, this is Linda. My biggest accomplishment in life is being a mother of four children. Their current ages range from almost ten years old down to 20 months old.
I’m passionate about writing parenting articles because I understand so well all of the problems and trials you face as a parent. From breastfeeding woes to budgeting problems and behavior problems, along with everything in between, chances are I’ve faced it over the last ten years. Read more about Linda here.
